Betty Shantz Klassen

Died Oct. 23, 2017

Posted
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 12:00 am

Betty Shantz Klassen, 86, died peacefully Oct. 23, 2017.

Betty was born in Comins Township to Ernest and Letha Shantz. She grew up in Fairview and worked in her family’s creamery and restaurant businesses from a young age. These started her lifelong passion of cooking fabulous food and sharing it with others.

Betty was a true believer in education and received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Bluffton College, Ohio, in 1955. Once her children were in school she earned her bachelor’s in education from Kent State University in 1971 and a master’s from Northern Arizona University in 1985. She was an educator for many years and her final gift was to donate her body to the medical program at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.

Betty and her husband Karl moved to Arizona from Ohio in 1980, making Clarkdale their home. She taught many years at Yavapai Community College in a position that gave her a great deal of joy and satisfaction. She also served on the Clarkdale Jerome School Board for many years. They spent much time traveling the world and making new adventures.

Betty is survived by her husband, Karl (married 61 years); and her four children, Risa, Kurt, Ann and Max; daughter-in-law, Amy; seven grandchildren; and two siblings, Derril Shantz and Janis Zehr.

A memorial open house will be held Sunday, Jan. 28, from 1-4 p.m. at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse in Clarkdale, Ariz.

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